Thematic Evidence for a Post-Exile Authorship of Genesis

The Theme of Brotherly Reconciliation Could Offer a Clue As To When Genesis and the Pentateuch Was Written

Although the theme of exile is common in Genesis (Adam and Eve exiled from the Garden, Cain exiled to the land of Nod, Jacob exiled by his feud with Esau, and Joseph exiled by his brothers), there is another theme that is closely related and that is brotherly reconciliation. Three of the exile themed stories in Genesis also involve brotherly relationships.

When Jacob returns to Canaan, he fears his brother Esau is still angry with him, but we read in Genesis what happens:

Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.

Genesis 33:4-5

It's interesting that the non-canonical Book of Jubilees recounts how Esau's sons later provoked Esau to war with Jacob, but there is no mention of it in Genesis.

And again, Joseph overcomes any bitterness he may have had against his brothers for selling him into slavery:

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Genesis 45:5-7

He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 45:15

In contrast, the story of Cain an Abel shows the opposite with negative effects:

Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

Genesis 4:8

Cain was eventually exiled to Nod, never to return.

So in light of these stories, we should ask this question: At what time in Israel's history would Genesis have been written to address issues with their brethren returning from exile? I think the best answer to that would be when the Jewish exiles were returning from Babylon.

The issue of brotherly reconciliation is also hinted as elsewhere:

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 19:18

In the Hebrew, it's literally "love your brother as yourself".

I've also previously written some brief thoughts about the Pentateuch dating/authorship.